ISP Slingshot is working with NZ Police and international agencies to proactively defend customers from a serious malware attack that is sweeping the globe.

Called GameOver Zeus, the virus lays dormant until it spots an opportunity to steal personal details such as online banking information and passwords.

Slingshot and CallPlus Chief Technology Officer Adrian Dick said the ISP has been proactively blocking thousands of sites after it was contacted by authorities over the weekend.

“GameOver Zeus is a large, sophisticated and potentially very damaging virus.

“Over the weekend, we have blocked thousands of randomly generated domains, and will update these further as we are advised of new ones by the Police and international authorities.

“We believe the actions of ISPs will hold off problems for a couple of weeks, but it’s a cat and mouse game. The criminals behind the virus will be looking for ways around our actions. The most effective way for people to protect themselves is by using a good-quality anti-virus service.”

Mr Dick says that Slingshot is contacting all customers advising them to ensure that their anti-virus is up-to-date. It’s also offering customers a free trial of the NOD32 security service.

Five security tips:

Use a reputable Anti-Virus software

Run a scan of all your computers. A list of free scanning software is available here: http://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/alerts/TA14-150A

Make sure your software – including your operating system - is all up to date

Use complex passwords that include numbers, capitals, lowercase and special characters

Use different passwords for different systems (if one gets hacked then your other online logins can remain safe)

The old one locked you out of your machine, encrypted your files and asked old people who don't know what Internet Explorer is for Bitcoins to possibly/maybe get it all back. How much meaner can you get?Unless we are talking something that would stop your home automation software from opening your garage door and forcing you to park your classic Chevelle under that deadly oak tree, I fail to imagine anything meaner!

DravidDavid: The old one locked you out of your machine, encrypted your files and asked old people who don't know what Internet Explorer is for Bitcoins to possibly/maybe get it all back. How much meaner can you get?Unless we are talking something that would stop your home automation software from opening your garage door and forcing you to park your classic Chevelle under that deadly oak tree, I fail to imagine anything meaner!

The Herald story claims the old one:

Checked the victim wasn't Russian, because you don't crap where you eat.

Exactly what I mean! There will always be a new one around the corner.

Actually I thought of something nastier. Replace drivers for select hardware then run the system to destruction and possibly start a fire. "Oh you don't want to pay, OK, I'll just burn your house down..."

Location: Dunedin

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